Dementia in the News

EurekAlert (June 19, 2011): New Genes for Risk and Progression of Rare Brain Disease Identified

There are new genetic clues on risk factors and biological causes of a rare neurodegenerative disease called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), according to a new study from an international genetics team led by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In the largest genetics study of the disease, three new genes associated with risk for PSP were identified and two additional genetic variants affecting risk for PSP were confirmed. The paper appears online in Nature Genetics.

New York Times (June 17, 2011): Memory Implant Gives Rats Sharper Recollection

Scientists have designed a brain implant that restored lost memory function and strengthened recall of new information in laboratory rats - a crucial first step in the development of so-called neuroprosthetic devices to repair deficits from dementia, stroke and other brain injuries in humans.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (June 10, 2011): Federal Register Volume 76, Number 112

The National Alzheimer's Project Act, Public Law 111-375 (42 U.S.C. 11225), requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) establish the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services. The Advisory Council is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

Alzheimer Research Forum (May 13, 2011): Cognitive Impairment, Dementia Keep Rising in the Oldest Old

Oldest-old survivor stories notwithstanding, mild cognitive problems, as wlel as full-blown dementia, are common among women 85 years and older, and their prevalence keeps going up as these women get older, according to a new study. "There was some question in the research community as to whether the incidence of dementia might plateau after a certain age," said Kristine Yaffes, University of California at San Francisco (UCSF).

New York Times (May 2, 2011): A Thief That Robs the Brain of Language

Steve Riedner of Schaumberg, Ill., was a 55-year-old tool-and-die maker, a job that involves difficult mental calculations, and a frequent speaker at community meetings when he found himself increasingly at a loss for words and unable to remember numbers. He even began to have difficulty reading his own written comments.

The neurologist he consulted thought Mr. Riedner had suffered a stroke and for three years treated him with cholesterol-lowering medication. But instead of his language ability stabilizing or improving, as should happen following a stroke, it got worse.

CNN Presents (May 1, 2011): A Larry King Special on "Unthinkable: The Alzheimer's Epidemic"

On Sunday, May 1st, CNN will air the first Larry King special, premiering at 8pm ET/PT and will be titled "Unthinkable: The Alzheimer's Epidemic." It's being called the disease of the 21st century as an estimated 5.4 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It is the sixth-leading cause of death across all ages in the United States, but many Americans still do not know much about this illness. The one-hour special will look into Alzheimer's disease, who gets it and why, the race to find effective treatments and a possible cure.

New York Times (April 19, 2011): Guidelines Allow Earlier Definition of Alzheimer's

For the first time in 27 years, the definition of Alzheimer's disease is being recast in new medical guidelines that reflect fast-mounting evidence that it begins ravaging the brain years before the symptoms of dementia.

ABC News (April 13, 2011): Alzheimer's Disease: Signs May Appear Decade Before Symptoms

The brain areas affected by Alzheimer's disease start shrinking up to a decade before symptoms like memory loss appear, according to new brain imaging research. The discovery, which adds to growing evidence that Alzheimer's is a slowly emerging disease, could help scientists identify people at risk before the damage is done.

National Institutes of Health (April 11, 2011): More Young Neurons Equals Better Brain Function

Scientists improved the cognitive ability of adult mice by boosting the survival of newborn neurons in the brain's memory hub. Enhancing the survival of these cells, when combined with exercise, produced antidepresseant effects as well. The findings may open up new avenues for treating cognitive, mood and anxiety disorders.

Science Daily (April 5 2011): New Method Delivers Alzheimer's Drug to the Brain

Oxford University scientists have developed a new method for delivering complex drugs directly to the brain, a necessary step for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Motor Neuron Disease and Muscular Dystrophy.

These diseases have largely resisted attempts to over the last 50 years develop new treatments, partly because of the difficulty of getting effective new drugs to the brain to slow or halt disease progression.